Eden is a young, working-class sailor who dreams of becoming a writer. He is determined to rise above his station in life and become an educated, cultured man. He reads voraciously, studies philosophy, and works hard to improve himself. He meets Ruth, a wealthy young woman, and falls in love with her. She encourages him to pursue his dreams, and he begins to write. His writing is rejected by publishers, but he continues to work hard and eventually finds success. However, his newfound success brings him into contact with the upper classes, and he finds himself increasingly out of place. He is unable to reconcile his working-class roots with his new lifestyle, and his relationship with Ruth suffers. He eventually leaves her and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. He travels the world, learning about different cultures and philosophies, and eventually finds peace. He returns to Ruth, but finds that she has moved on with her life. He realizes that he must accept his place in the world and find his own path. He returns to his writing, and eventually finds success and happiness.
By Jack London · First published 1909 · Genre: Realistic Fiction, Adventure, Romance · 46 chapters